KNOCKAERT PLEASED WITH OPENING STRIKE

Brighton & Hove Albion winger Anthony Knockaert believes his goal against Derby County on Friday was one of his finest of the season to date, and hailed the significance of another crucial victory.

Knockaert sent Albion on their way to a convincing 3-0 victory with a brilliant individual strike in the fifth minute, and hopes the win can give the team momentum going into the final nine games of the campaign.

He said: “It’s a great goal and maybe one of the best I’ve scored this season. I had a great ball inside from Bruno and as soon as I dribbled past the Derby defender I was in a great position to shoot. I took the chance and it went in; I was so happy.

“It’s another three points and another big push forward, especially at this stage of the season.

“We want to keep putting good performances in at home and win games here.

“But we can’t be too happy about it and have to move forward now. We’re already thinking about the next game against Leeds.”

The Frenchman feels Albion are back on track following last Saturday’s disappointing defeat at Nottingham Forest, but is refusing to get carried away by their healthy position in the table.

“At this stage of the season you have to win as many games as you can and we were saying to each other that we need to be better, and that’s what we did against Rotherham. It was good to bounce back after Forest.

“It’s a great position, but nothing is done yet. I cannot celebrate anything. It’s in our hands, but there are still nine games to go.

“Nothing changes for us, it was just another game to play. We will have a long week to prepare, so it’s good for us to relax and be ready to go again.”